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Activision · 3 months ago

Lead Technical Artist, Characters - Overwatch 2 | Irvine, CA

Irvine - Blizzard - Blizzard Way

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff

$46.73/hr - $86.49/hr

8+ years exp

Blizzard Entertainment is known for creating legendary worlds and genre-defining games, and they are seeking a Lead Technical Artist, Characters for Overwatch 2. This role involves managing the Character Tech Art Team, focusing on cosmetic and character asset development, while leading and mentoring technical artists to ensure high standards of visual and technical quality.

GamingMedia and EntertainmentPC GamesPublishingVideo Games

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and grow a team of technical artists focused on cosmetic rewards and character tech art, supporting talent development and best practices

Oversee the design, development, and optimization of cosmetic pipelines, including skinning, rigging, physics setup, and export readiness for skins, weapons, props, and reward items

Drive technical innovation and efficiency in cosmetic asset production, championing new workflows, automation, and process improvements

Collaborate across concept, VFX, animation, design, and engineering to deliver high-quality cosmetic assets aligned with game vision and player expectations

Set clear standards for art assets, lead performance optimization, and recommend/implement improvements to product quality and team productivity

Research, identify, and resolve technical challenges in production pipelines and processes, developing solutions and new tools as needed for Overwatch’s art production

Manage and maintain asset integration, files, pipelines, and processes for Overwatch’s art production

Partner with other leads and directors to meet Overwatch’s visual and technical standards and represent the team in leadership meetings

Qualification

AAA Tech Art experienceMaya tool developmentLeadership experienceCharacter kinematics knowledgePython programmingSelf-motivated leadershipProblem-solving skillsOrganizational skillsCommunication skillsCollaborative mindset

Required

8+ years of experience in AAA Tech Art, ideally including multiplayer or team-based games

Proven track record, with shipped titles in a relevant role

Leadership experience managing technical artists in a studio environment

Comprehensive understanding of all major aspects of content creation in commercial game engines

Deep understanding of character kinematics, deformation, topology, and technical workflows for cosmetics

Expertise in Maya tool development, pipeline design, and Python or similar programming languages

Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills

Experience generating cloth/hair rigs and art-directed simulations for cosmetic assets

Collaborative, team-oriented mindset, working effectively with all Overwatch departments

Ability to inspire others with enthusiasm for game development and skill improvement

Self-motivated leadership, driving initiatives and fostering innovation

Proven ability to pioneer practical, production-oriented art workflows for a live-service game

Preferred

Experience leading teams in shipping AAA games, especially in FPS or live service environments

Passion for Blizzard games and cosmetic reward systems

Familiarity with destruction, VFX, material creation, and LOD optimization tools (e.g., Simplygon)

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance

401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching

Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave

Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others

If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance

Company

Activision

Glassdoor3.5

Activision develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment, and leisure products. It is a sub-organization of Activision Blizzard.

Founded in 1979

Santa Monica, California, USA

5001-10000 employees

https://www.activision.com/

H1B Sponsorship

Activision has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (74)

2024 (52)

2023 (63)

2022 (77)

2021 (57)

2020 (49)